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Where are generic manufactured across the globe?

Generic medicines are manufactured by a variety of companies in different countries around the world. Many generic medicines are produced in countries with large and well-established pharmaceutical industries, such as India, China, and various countries in Europe.

In order to be approved for sale, a generic medicine must meet the same standards of safety, efficacy, and quality as its brand-name counterpart. This includes demonstrating that the generic medicine is the same as the brand-name medicine in terms of its active ingredient, dosage form, strength, intended use, and the conditions it is used to treat.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating the manufacturing and distribution of generic medicines to ensure that they meet appropriate standards. The FDA has systems in place to ensure that generic medicines are manufactured in facilities that meet specific quality standards and that the medicines themselves meet the required standards of safety, efficacy, and quality.

Overall, generic medicines are manufactured in a variety of locations around the world and are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight to ensure their safety, efficacy, and quality.

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August 18, 2023
Why do Doctors Prescribe Brand Name Drugs? Are there reasons other than commission?
Why do Doctors Prescribe brand name drugs: Most of the time, doctors prescribe branded medicines or drugs which is available near their clinics. But here a question arises why doctors don’t specify it? Why do patients have to ask for it? Many people say that doctors seek to commission, and that is why they never prescribe low prices or generic drugs or even give a piece of advice for it.

Also, it is said that doctors are not prescribing it mostly because generic medications are government supply, and doctors do not get any benefit or income for prescribing it. However, it is the patients’ duty, too, to ask for low-price or generic drugs from doctors.

Why doctors are Protesting the Rule to Prescribe Generic Drugs?

Well, the answer is diplomatic. All doctors are not the same. Some are in favour of generic drugs, and so prescribe them. However, others do not prescribe it because they have tie-ups with a pharmacy or some pharmacy companies, or sometimes they have their relatives who run a pharmacy.
- But other than the commission, certain doctors believe that generic drugs are not efficient enough to cure symptoms in a few days. Every doctor wants to treat patients as fast as possible because the faster the result, the more reliable the doctor is!
- Another reason is its availability. Many pharmacies, in India, do not keep generic medicine, and for patients, then it becomes tough to find out at different shops. However, now the government has passed an order to supply generic drugs in local pharmacy shops and online shops.
- Also, most of the pharmacy shops have salespeople who sell their brand medicine under the supervision of a pharmacist. They have no idea about generic drugs, so they refuse to give, and patients have to go to other shops to get one medicine, which becomes tedious for them. The next time, they request doctors to provide readily available medication.
- Lastly, in India, branded medicines are better known than generic ones. As branded drugs are more common among people, they do not know generic ones, so they also doubt doctors when unfamiliar conventional medicines are prescribed.
Read: What are Generic Medicines?

Example of Generic Medicine vs Branded Medicine

For example, Everyone knows Crocin is for fever/pain, and it is a branded one. Still, when someone or a doctor tells them to take Paracetamol, they doubt whether this medicine will cure pain as they don’t know that Paracetamol is the generic name of Crocin. So lack of awareness or knowledge is another reason for doctors to provide branded medicines to get a patient’s trust.

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August 18, 2023
How long do blood pressure pills take to lower blood pressure?
Contents
Treating high blood pressure

If your blood pressure is between 130/80 and 140/90 mmHg (millimetres of mercury), your doctor will prescribe high blood pressure medications to help lower your pressure. These medications will also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Besides taking blood pressure tablets, you must also follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to maintain your blood pressure and overall health and well-being.

Let us understand the various high blood pressure medications and how they work.

7 High blood pressure facts you should be aware about | Hypertension

High blood pressure medication options

Blood pressure medications

Doctors may prescribe one or more high blood pressure tablets to lower your blood pressure. These include:

Diuretics

Diuretics are a standard treatment for high blood pressure. They are also called water pills. They help remove sodium or salt and water from your body. These pills work quickly to reduce fluid retention. Their effect lasts about six hours. After you start taking these pills, you may need to urinate more often.

These pills help your kidney release salt through urine.

The sodium further helps remove excess water from your blood and thus reduces the fluid from your arteries and veins.

These pills also treat swelling, heart failure, liver failure and kidney stones.

Diuretics come in three types
1. Thiazide
2. Loop
3. Potassium-sparing
All three types work on different parts of the kidney. Some blood pressure tablets are a combination of two types of diuretics. Your doctor may also prescribe pills that combine diuretics with other blood pressure medications. The ideal diuretic for you depends upon your condition.

If a diuretic doesn’t help lower your blood pressure, your doctor will prescribe other high-blood pressure medications.

Beta-blockers

Your doctor will prescribe beta blockers if other medications, such as diuretics, do not help lower your blood pressure. Beta-blockers work within 30 minutes to four hours of taking the first dose. Your doctor will prescribe these blood pressure tablets depending on your health.

These medications help in the following ways:
- They cause the heart to beat slowly and with less force. This reduces your blood pressure.
- They widen your arteries, which helps improve blood flow.
- Beta-blockers also help treat chest pain, heart failure and heart attacks.
Alpha-blockers

Alpha-blockers are also high-blood-pressure medications that keep the arteries open and relaxed. This improves blood flow and helps lower your blood pressure gradually.

These drugs are either short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting alpha-blockers work fast, but their effects last a shorter while. Long-acting alpha-blockers take longer to work, but their effect lasts longer.

To control your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe these medications along with diuretics.

As these medications lower your blood pressure, your doctor will advise you to take these at bedtime. You may feel lightheaded when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

ACE inhibitors relax the arteries and lower blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic or a calcium channel blocker to lower your blood pressure.

These drugs also help treat heart attacks, heart disease and heart failure.

ACE inhibitors take around 30 minutes to four hours to show effect after the first dose and 2 to 4 weeks for better effect.

Calcium channel blockers

These high blood pressure medications prevent calcium from entering the heart and arteries. This helps relax and open up your arteries.

Calcium channel blockers also slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers are short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting channel blockers work faster, but their effect lasts for a short time. Long-acting channel blockers work slowly, but their effect lasts longer.

Your doctor will prescribe the ideal calcium channel blockers depending on your condition.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

ARBs are high blood pressure medications that relax the arteries and lower blood pressure. They are also used to treat heart failure and kidney disease.

Your doctor will prescribe an ARB if your blood pressure does not come under control with ACE inhibitors. You may have to take a single dose of this medication in the morning or as per the doctor’s instructions.

ARBs start working within 1 to 4 hours of the first dose and take approximately 2 to 4 weeks for better effect.

Summing up

While high blood pressure medications are crucial in lowering your blood pressure, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle also help maintain the pressure. Apart from relaxing techniques and yoga, you can also develop a hobby to manage stress and anxiety. Check your blood pressure regularly, and do not discontinue your medicines without consulting your doctor.

You can now buy all your high blood pressure medications on Medkart, your trusted online pharmacy. To place your orders, download our app today!

FAQs related to Blood Pressure

1. What are the side effects of blood pressure medications?

The common side effects of high blood pressure medications are:
- Diuretics: Low potassium levels and weakness
- Beta-blockers: Dizziness, exhaustion and low heart rate
- Ace-inhibitors: Diarrhoea, dry cough, headache and high potassium levels
- Calcium channel blockers: Constipation, dizziness and swelling of ankles
- Angiotensin receptor blockers: Diarrhoea, dizziness, exhaustion and congestion
2. Which medications cause high blood pressure?

Medications for other health conditions often cause high blood pressure. These are:
- Birth control pills
- Migraine medications
- Amphetamines
Over-the-counter medications prescribed for allergies and cold

3. When should I consult my doctor about high blood pressure?

Regular meetings with your doctor are crucial if you have high blood pressure. You can consult them if your blood pressure levels are not reducing or if you have side effects from high blood pressure medications. They will change the dosage or prescribe other medication.
August 18, 2023
How reliable are generic medicines? Why do generic medicines cost less?

Long story short Answer:

Generics are as much reliable as the branded ones.

Here’s why:

Generic drugs are one of the variants of brand name drugs. As the active chemical content is the same in both types of medicines, efficiency and reliability of generic are equivalent to branded one. They are as powerful as company drugs.

The difference between making a generic drug and the branded drug is hardly 5-10%. Like branded drugs, generic drugs also pass through different procedures because companies, who make generic drugs, have to prove the Indian government that generic is bioequivalent or formulation is the same as the branded drug.

Quality of generic medicines ensured by WHO-GMP, and this certification is granted by CDSCO (The Central Drug Standard and Control Organization) and state regulatory authorities via thorough inspections. So before coming into the markets, in India, the regulatory body governs the approval, production, and marketing of quality drugs. They also make sure that these are sold at reasonable prices.

Both generic and branded medicines have the same main substances, applications, safety protocols, dosage, and route of administration, strength, side effects, and expiry date, too sometimes, to maintain efficiency and reliability of both drugs equally. However, packaging, color, size, and shape may differ because of the difference in an inactive ingredient and modulation. But the main active ingredient is always remaining the same.

So from these, it can be said that as the generic drug is the same as the branded one in almost all the forms, it is reliable like other drugs.

It is true that generic medicines are same as branded one and have same chemical components. Also, claimed that they are as efficient as company drugs and then question is why generic medicines are 80 to 85% cheaper than branded medicines if they have same qualities like branded one.

Usually generic drug comes after its main original drug comes into the market. Generic drugs are allowed to sale only after once patent of original drugs expires then only generic drugs are allowed to dale. So while manufacturing of generic drugs, no investment like drug discovery, drug development, and clinical trials needed. Also marketing and advertisements is not required as it is already done. Generic makers have only one duty that is to prove regulators that medicine is as effective and good as original version in humans. In addition to this, when generic drugs come into the market competitions of these drugs are high, so to sell more drugs they reduce their prices.

So as mentioned above, generic drugs are copies of brand name drugs that have already undergone costly procedures of research and development before approval. Therefore no additional cost is needed for generic drugs approval. That is the only difference between cost of branded and generic drugs.

Frequently Asked Questions related to generic medicines

1) Why do generic drugs cost less?

Generic drugs cost less than brand-name drugs because they do not require the same amount of research, development, and marketing costs as brand-name drugs. When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it invests a significant amount of money in research and development, including clinical trials to ensure the drug is safe and effective. This cost is reflected in the price of the drug.

2) Problems with generic drugs?

There can be a few problems with generic drugs, including potential differences in inactive ingredients, which can affect absorption and side effects. In rare cases, a patient may have an allergic reaction to an inactive ingredient. Additionally, some patients may not respond to a generic drug in the same way as the brand-name version due to small differences in formulation. However, these issues are generally rare and the FDA requires generic drugs to be just as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

3) Are generic drugs less effective?

No, generic drugs are not less effective than their brand-name counterparts. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand-name drugs. The FDA requires generic drugs to be bioequivalent to the brand-name drug, meaning that they must be absorbed in the body at the same rate and to the same extent as the brand-name drug

4) Generic medicine list

Check Generic medicines here – Check

5) Generic medicine example

Branded Medicine – Dolo 650MG

Generic Medicine – Paracip 650MG

August 18, 2023
What are the weirdest things done by someone to save money?

Everyone works hard to earn money; then, save it for the future. Of course, there are many traditional ways, such as Fixed deposits, opening saving account, gold saving, and so on. But there are some other weird ways which can be helpful to save money in day to day life.

Save petrol:

After medicine, another costly thing is petrol. So, save it whenever possible. Turn off the vehicle during signals, prefer walking for small distances, and try to share cars with colleagues and friends. For example, if you have a daily regular hour commute and you know someone in your neighbourhood who has the same hour commute, talk to them about a carpool, even if it’s an odd one.

Shop during the end of season sale:
Many branded shops give 50 to 60% discounts during End of Season sales. These sales are a good way to save money, so wait for such deals and go shopping during this time.
Watch for coupons and codes:
If you like online shopping, then watch for codes and coupons. Many online shopping stores provide discount coupons. One can get exclusive coupons or discount vouchers or unique code from newspapers or some social media sites and can save money.
Replace branded with generic:
Most of the Indians sped their money on medicines. Buying medicines are now an everyday need for everyone. According to research, Indians spend 40-50% of their salary on medications. However, here is the trick, which helps you to save a lot. Buying generic medicine will save lots of money as they are 50-70% cheaper than branded ones. Generic medication is precisely the same as the branded medicines, so switching to branded ones will not be adverse; instead, it will be beneficial.
Book your flight tickets in incognito mode:
Instead of buying tickets on an emergency note, earlier booking can save money. Thus, plan your trip earlier and book at least 2 to 3 months before and make sure you use the incognito mode of your browser to avoid cookies.

August 18, 2023
Why there is lack of awareness about generic medicines in India?

There are several reasons why there may be a lack of awareness about generic medicines in India. Some of these reasons include:

Marketing and advertising: Pharmaceutical companies often engage in heavy marketing and advertising for their brand-name drugs, which can lead to greater awareness and preference for these drugs over generic alternatives.

Misconceptions about quality: Some people may believe that generic medicines are of lower quality or less effective than brand-name drugs. However, generic drugs must meet the same strict regulatory standards as brand-name drugs and are often just as effective.

Limited access to information: Many people may not have access to accurate information about generic medicines, or may not know where to find such information.

Doctor recommendations: Doctors may be more likely to prescribe brand-name drugs, which can contribute to a lack of awareness about generic alternatives.

Overall, increasing awareness about the safety, effectiveness, and availability of generic medicines could help to improve access to affordable medications for more people in India.

Want to know about Generics and are looking for quality generics then what are you waiting for visit www.medkart.in/blog and explore quality generics.

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August 18, 2023
An Untreated Migraine Now Could Mean Chronic Migraines Later

Intense, worsening headaches characterize migraine. It also shows symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, speech difficulty, numbness or tingling, and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can be hereditary and affect all ages. However, women are more prone to migraine than men. Sometimes migraines are considered simple headaches and not taken care of. This will eventually worsen the pain and make daily routine difficult to perform. So symptoms are needed to be understood to know whether it is migraine or just a headache. Symptoms of migraines may start one to two days before your problem. This is called the stage of the prodrome. Symptoms may include during this stage, including food cravings, exhaustion, weakness or low energy, constant yawning and hyperactivity, irritability, and neck rigidity. After this, headache along with Increased susceptibility to sound and light, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, dull pain on left or right or front or back, or temple region of your head.

There is not any well-known cause of migraine. Most researchers believe that migraine is caused by abnormal changes in substance levels produced naturally in the brain. Increasing the levels of these substances can cause inflammation. The inflammation causes blood vessels in the brain to swell and press close nerves to cause pain. Migraine is usually episodic in starting; however, due to negligence, it becomes chronic in many people. The difference between these two is, episodic migraines stay for an hour or two and once gone, then take several weeks or even months to come. On the other hand, chronic migraines last more and take place more often. Not taking care of frequent headaches can cause migraine to worsen, resulting in five to six attacks per year, it turns into two attacks per month, lasting for 8 to 10 days. Thus, instead of ignoring migraine, one should see why it is happening and seek remedies for medication to prevent it from worsening. Here are the ways you should try treating migraine.

1. Recognize the trigger factors and eliminate it:
Most of the migraines occur due to trigger factors. If you can control the trigger factor, then 70 % of migraines can be avoided. Trigger factors can be anything food, lights, weather, sleep deprivation, strong smell, alcohol, hunger, and so on. The most common trigger factors are foods such as chocolates, cheese, food preservatives, fish, certain meats, nut butter, and onion.

First of all, keep a migraine diary, and whenever you get migraine pain, write your schedule 2 to 3 days of pre-migraine schedule in it. This will help you to understand what triggers migraine as it varies from person to person. Once you find the trigger factor try to eliminate it. For example, many people who eat chocolates get migraine attacks, so avoid eating too many chocolates. Thus, the basic rule to prevent migraines is to identify and avoid triggering factors such as perfume or chocolate.

2. Stress management:
Stress and emotion can trigger a migraine headache. So it is essential to manage stress to avoid migraines. Migraine is linked to many different types of stress or intense emotions. Some of the most prominent examples are anxiety, excitement, tension, and shock. During strain, hormonal imbalance occurs such change triggers a headache. First, it looks like a tension headache, and then it turns into a migraine. Thus, stress management is necessary for daily life to keep migraines at bay. On should,
• Have health food.
• Get 30 minutes a day’s workout.
• Try techniques of relaxation such as meditation.
• Get enough sleep.
• Take support from families and friends.
• To ease your tension, smile and laugh.

3. Stay hydrated:
Drink lots of water to keep migraines away. Dehydration is not directly related to migraine, but it can cause headaches and having migraine issues will trigger the attacks. The brain will contract or shrink due to fluid losses temporarily when the body is dehydrated. This mechanism pulls the brain off the skull and causes pain and headache. This, eventually, will convert dehydration headache into a migraine. So, it is essential to stay hydrated.
• Drink a minimum of 2.5 L water per day
• Increase fluid intake which includes minerals
• If you suffer from too much perspiration then increase fluid intake to 3 to 4 L.

4. Be proactive:
One of the easiest ways to deal with your migraine is to prevent it before it starts. If you know that a migraine might be in the forecast, try to stop it. When pain is too severe, make sure you take your prescription drugs or OTC drug. Do not just bear it and let it go on its own otherwise, it will worsen the situation.

5. Consult your doctor:
Many factors like menstruation, genes, age, some medications, weather change, menopause, are not avoidable. So, to prevent the migraine from such trigger factors, talk to your doctor. He will prescribe you medicine according to your symptoms and factors and take them exactly as prescribed. Also, he will advise some precautions, follow them religiously. Consult your doctor periodically. Take a migraine diary and show it to your doctor. Also, give a review on medication, whether it is helping in headache or not. Lastly, do not forget to ask about what to do if you miss a dose and how long you should take it.

Conclusion
Understanding and preventing your migraine causes, controlling your symptoms, following your doctor’s advice, and documenting any significant improvements as soon as they appear are usually the best outcome for people with migraines. Although migraine is untreatable, proper self-care and medication can help in relieving symptoms.

August 18, 2023
How mental health can affect physical health? 5 ways to manage mental health.

There is a vast difference between ‘mind’ and ‘body.’ Yet, when considering mental health and physical health, the two cannot be viewed as separate. Poor mental health has adverse effects on the outcomes of a person’s life. Mental illness varies from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and schizophrenia, varying greatly in problem and severity. Any given mental disorder may affect your body’s ability to work correctly and may even decrease life expectancy.

When one is suffering from psychological issues; be it stress, anxiety, or depression, the brain sends signals to the body differently. For example, in stressful conditions, some hormonal disturbances occur. This is because our body runs on the command of our brain, which is our mental health.

The irregular activity of neurotransmitters in the brain occurs during mental disturbances that can cause chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalance, heart disease, asthma attack, rise in blood pressure, insomnia, obesity, increased sensitivity to aches and pains, and so on. Thus, it is essential to manage mental health.

Here are the five ways to manage your mental health better:

1. Stay active

Inculcating active lifestyle is one of the best ways to stay mentally healthy. Exercise is essential for reducing age-related cognitive decline and promoting well-being. Also, regular physical activity has proven to lower depression and anxiety levels in all age groups. This is because exercise can release happy brain chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin, which can relieve stress and anxiety. Thus, choose a plan or workout type that works for you. This can be aerobic interval training, or a more aware and purpose-driven yoga practice or something in between. What’s important is that you stick to it. Even a quick 10-minute fast burst of walking increases mental alertness, vitality, and an optimistic mood.

Do the following:
• Exercise every day for 30 minutes.
• Do yoga and meditation.
• Start participating in local sports activities.
• Resist the temptation to stay glued to the screens all the time.

2. Good nutrition

A good diet keeps us mentally and physically healthy. Proper nutrition is an essential factor in influencing how we feel. A healthy diet is one of the good protein levels, essential fats, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. The food we eat can affect the growth, treatment, and prevention of various mental health problems, including depression and Alzheimer’s.

The brain needs nutrition to stay healthy like our body. The hippocampus is a brain region that, in a process called neurogenesis, produces new neurons. Research has shown that hippocampal neurogenesis is related to mood and cognition of an individual. Stress or diets high in fat, sugar, and alcohol can reduce neurogenesis. This may cause some mental illness. Even it is noted that a hungry mind can quickly get angry or frustrated.
Make the following dietary changes;
• Increase intake of vitamins, especially Vitamin D– vitamin D, has receptors in the brain that enhance mood and keep depression away.
• Stay hydrated all the time.
• Try to include nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and healthy fats, like avocados, into your meals.
• Avoid skipping meals,
• Avoid excessive sugary foods.

3. Get enough sleep

Sleep plays a major role in the maintenance of mental and physical health. Sleep and mental wellbeing are closely linked- living with a mental health condition will affect how well you sleep, and bad sleep will negatively impact your mental health. Sleep is as important as eating, drinking, and respiring for our wellbeing. It helps our bodies and brains rebuild themselves and restore our memories and process knowledge.
Weak sleep is associated with physical issues such as a compromised immune system and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. This happens because sleep deprivation causes brain cells to slow down and causes some hormonal changes.
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that adults should get an average of 7-9 hours of sleep every night to stay healthy.
If you have trouble having enough night sleep,
• Do some relaxation exercise.
• Start using proper pillow and matrices.
• Set a bedtime routine.
• Reduce the caffeine consumption.
• Don’t use screens at the bedside.

4. Spending time with nature:

Nature has relaxing effects on the mind. Nature’s beauty and serenity build a sense of calm, which one would not usually find in busy urban environments. Research shows that a pleasant environment can minimize stress and, in turn, its impacts on the body. Everything we see, hear, and feel at any given moment affects our mood and conducts our nervous, endocrine, and immune systems function.
Being in nature, or just watching natural scenes, decreases frustration, anxiety, and tension and increases positive feelings. Spending time in the natural environment can positively affect our well-being and decrease blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and stress hormone output. It has long been recognized that spending time in nature is also one of the most powerful ways to minimize stress and mental exhaustion regularly.
The following is recommended;
• Going out and walking barefoot on grass. It helps control the nervous system, improve immunity, and reduce stress and anxiety sensations.
• Every day get some sunlight for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Spend weekends at natural, open places.
• Take some break from routine life and travel to explore the beauty of nature.

5. Ask for a support

Asking support or help from friends or relatives is not a bad thing at all. Many people still believe that asking for help is a weakness, but it is a strength. One of the crucial ways to stay mentally stable is to understand your feelings well and ask for assistance. When you feel low or depressed, talk with a loved one as it can prevent further damage. Keeping things in mind will only exaggerate the situation. Everyone has some kind of problems in life, but communication with loved ones can make life easier to deal with.
If you cannot talk with anyone or even after talking things remain as it is, you should speak to your GP.

Conclusion

Personal wellbeing, interpersonal relationships, family bonding, and the ability to contribute to community or society are based on good mental health. Thus, adopting a lifestyle that helps you maintain good mental health and remove negative aspects from life are necessary to live life successfully.

August 18, 2023
20 Questions to Ask Doctor About Your Prescribed Medication | Generic Medicine Buy

Questions to Ask Doctor About Your Prescribed Medication

When your doctor prescribes a new medication or line of treatment, it is based on their diagnosis and understanding of the ailment. But one thing that patients don’t realise is that the conversation between a doctor and a patient is a two-way street. You are free to ask your doctor questions about the medication they are prescribing and their thoughts about your healing process.

You could also clarify your doubts about your medication from your pharmacist. It is advisable to choose your pharmacist as carefully as choose your doctor. At Medkart, all our stores have qualified staff who take the time to understand the prescribed medication and discuss the available options (generic and non-generic) with the patient.

We have listed down 20 questions that you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing medicine and starting a new line of treatment –

Call Our Doctor for Free Consultation – Call

1. What is the Medication Called & What is it Used For ?

Every medication has two names, one common (also known as generic) and the other is the brand name. Usually, doctors in India only mention the brand name on their prescription, but that might make it difficult to find an alternative – if that brand is not available.
Ask your doctor about the common name of the medicine or the salt name. It will enable your pharmacist to find alternatives if needed. Also, ask them to explain the use of the medication. It is good to know what you can expect from the medicine.

2. How am I Supposed to Take the Medication ?

Always ensure that you understand how to take your medicines. Not taking the medicine as directed by the doctor may be detrimental to your health and safety. Ask if the medicine may make you feel drowsy, or cause digestion problems if taken without food. Be clear about the frequency and timing of the medication.

3. Are There Any Alternatives to This Medication ?

There are many reasons why your doctor may prescribe one brand/variant of medicine over the other. It could be related to the drugs’ interaction with other medicines, or the side effects it may produce. Discuss the reason why the doctor chose this medicine for your ailment. Ask your doctor if there are any alternatives to the medicine they have written.

At Medkart, we suggest generic alternatives to branded medicines – especially to those patients who may have financial constraints.

4. Should I Avoid any Activities or Foods When Taking This Medicine?

Medicines can produce side effects such as fatigue, drowsiness, or indigestion. Sometimes, these side effects could be a result of an interaction of the drug with some foods, hormones, or other medicines. Ask your doctor if you need to modify your diet in any way when taking this medication. Also clarify if you need to avoid certain activities such as driving, drinking, operating machinery, or heavy exercise during this time.

5. How Long Does it Take for This Medication to Take Effect?

The timeframe in which your medicine starts working depends on your ailment, and the nature of the drug prescribed. Talk to your doctor about how soon you can expect to feel an improvement in your condition and what must be done if you don’t.

6. What Should I do if I Miss a Dose?

In many cases, a missed dose doesn’t make much of a difference. But sometimes, one missed dose can make things difficult. For example, if you are taking birth control pills and you miss a dose, you could get pregnant. In other cases, missing a dose may reduce a medicine’s effectiveness.

Go over all the instructions with your doctor and ensure that you take all your doses on time. It is recommended that you ask your doctor about the implications of missing a dose.

Whether you are undergoing treatment for a chronic ailment or an infection. You should take charge of your health. Ask your doctor or pharmacist these questions about your medication and discuss your health condition in detail. Don’t forget to mention any other medications, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal supplements that you may be taking.

7) What is the recommended dosage, frequency, and duration of treatment?

The recommended dosage, frequency, and duration of treatment for a prescribed medication will depend on the specific medication, the condition being treated, and your individual health needs. It’s important to follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions exactly as prescribed.

8) Are there any potential side effects or interactions with other medications I am taking ?

Yes, many medications can have potential side effects and interactions with other medications you may be taking. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure safe and effective use of your prescribed medication. Here are some questions you can ask:

9) Are there any specific instructions I need to follow while taking this medication, such as avoiding alcohol, certain foods, or activities?

10) Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should be aware of while taking this medication?

11) Can I crush or cut the medication if it’s difficult for me to swallow? Are there any specific instructions for administration?

12) Are there any special considerations or warnings for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, or elderly patients?

13) What are the warning signs of an adverse reaction or an emergency situation that I should be aware of?

14) Can I continue taking over-the-counter medications or supplements with this prescribed medication?

15) How should I store the medication, and what is the proper way to dispose of any unused medication?

16) What should I do if I have any questions or concerns about my medication or experience any unexpected side effects?

17) Prescription with branded medicines and generic medicines

18) Difference between generic and non generic medicinem

19) from where i can get generic medicines?

20) Is generic medicine good compare to branded medicines.

Asking questions is the only way to understand your treatment and medication better. At Medkart stores, we encourage customers to ask questions and clarify their doubts before buying any medicines.

August 18, 2023
Pharma-Docs Nexus Deprives Poor of low-cost medicine: MedKart

Ahmadabad, July 20, 2016: The unholy nexus between drug makers and doctors to prevent affordable generic medicines reaching poor is a blatant violation of Medical Council of India (MCI)’s directives and also against the Constitution, which guarantees citizen their right to access quality, safe and affordable medicines.

According to an MCI notification, all registered medical professionals in India should write the generic or chemical names of drugs in their prescriptions and not the brand names. But how many doctors in our neighbourhood follow this practice religiously?

“Medical practitioners, who are supposed to serve patients’ interests, are unfortunately aiding to fill the coffins of pharmaceutical companies who swamp their clinics and make doctors prescribe their costly drugs to gullible patients, denying them the cheaper generic alternatives. This leaves “no-medicine” for poor who can’t afford to buy branded drugs from chemists, who seldom keep generics owing to low demand and unprofitable margin,” says Ankur Agarwal, CEO of MedKart Pharmacy, which offers life-saving generic medicines to needy through physical and online outlets.

The exorbitant prices of branded medicines and non-availability of affordable generic alternatives force poor patients to go without medicines thereby risking their lives. The vicious cycle continues to haunt them every time they fall sick, as in India a good 26 per cent go below poverty line in every hospitalization, says Ankur.

There is, however, a silver lining in the otherwise dark side of the generic medicines market in India. People can still reach out to government health centres and hospitals to buy affordable medicines and treatment. But seeing the poor upkeep and quality of health services available across these places, people have no option but to depend on private clinics, hospitals or medical practitioners to get their illness treated. But, the branded medicines prescribed by doctors are out of bound for them who are invariably caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

However, there is an argument that even if doctors prescribe generic names, it is the pharmacists who are going to choose the medicine from a series of generic brands available with the same chemical formula. These drug stores can easily be influenced by manufacturers who want to popularize their version. Will this not put patients at serious health risk of getting substandard medicines?

Though agreeing the possibility of druggists getting influenced by pharma companies, Ankur argues that such possibility can be nullified with the improved awareness among people on generic drugs and doctors pitching in to ensure that the store representatives offer the right medicine with correct combination as majority of neighborhood drug stores are associated with the nearby clinics or hospitals.

The government should make suitable amendments in the existing laws to break the nexus between medical practitioners and drug makers, regulate druggists supplying generics and open up more Jan Aushadhi stores across India to provide low-cost and quality medicines to all, says Ankur, who has been spearheading a relentless campaign to spread the awareness on generic medicines among masses and medical fraternity.

According to an ASSOCHAM study, the domestic generic drug market will worth USD 28 billion from the current USD 13 billion by 2020 registering over 16 per cent growth annually due to USFDA approvals to several Indian generic drugs and ending of patent to 21 drugs by 2019 which the domestic drug makers is likely to capitalize.

About MedKart Pharmacy

Medkart Pharmacy is a leading generic medicine store which guides patients to get low-cost and quality generic alternatives from the best pharmaceutical companies following international quality standards. In the last 18 months alone, MedKart has helped over 35000 patients to save over Rs 8 crore by switching to generics. The purpose of launching Medkart was not just to spread the idea and availability of generic drugs among people but also ignite a campaign against doctors who are forcing patients to buy the prescribed branded medicines. Medkart, which has an exhaustive list of medicines, also offers online support to find the most authentic generic medicine with complete details.

August 18, 2023

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